The mystery around MS Dhoni’s IPL 2026 future is only getting bigger, but amid all the suspense, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) legend has finally opened up about the advice he gave to captain Ruturaj Gaikwad before the season started. Dhoni’s revelations revealed how the leadership transition inside Chennai Super Kings is actually taking place.
Even though the legendary wicketkeeper-batter has not played a single match in the ongoing IPL 2026 because of fitness issues, the excitement around him has been incredible. However, there is still no clarity on whether Dhoni will play against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
MS Dhoni finally opens up on advice given to Ruturaj Gaikwad before IPL 2026
Ahead of Chennai Super Kings’ final home game of the ongoing IPL 2026 season against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on May 18, MS Dhoni attended a special event before the team’s practice session in Chennai.
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During the interaction, MS Dhoni has opened up about how he handled the captaincy handover to Ruturaj Gaikwad. The former Indian captain revealed that he encouraged Ruturaj to lead the CSK in his own style and trust his own instincts, while reminding him that cricket is not a football game.
MS Dhoni said at the event before the CSK vs SRH clash, “What I told Rutu was to run CSK the way he wanted to run it. That’s how I have run CSK for a very long time. And I always felt it’s a game where the captain has to make the decisions. Yes, there are coaches and support staff, but it’s not like football, where the manager decides. In cricket, it’s about the captain, and he has to decide.”
MS Dhoni wants Ruturaj Gaikwad to build his own identity
The CSK icon also made it clear that every leader has a different personality and different thinking. He feels Ruturaj should build his own identity as captain. At the same time, Dhoni admitted that it is natural for young captains to learn certain things from the former captains.
He said, “Yes, there will be certain things that he will pick from the way I used to lead. But individuals are different… Whatever you feel is your style, you have the full liberty here to decide.”
Dhoni also revealed that he never wanted to control Ruturaj from behind the scenes. Even if he gives advice or shares ideas, the final decision is taken by the CSK captain himself. He believes that leadership only grows when a player takes full responsibility for both success and failure.
Dhoni refuses to control CSK
The CSK icon signed off by saying, “I’m very open; I’ll come and talk to you, but you don’t have to do even one thing that I speak to you about. Let’s say I come up with ten pieces of advice; if you don’t follow even one, that is fair enough. When you are the leader, you have to take that responsibility. As a leader, you see the resources that you have and how you want to use them.”
Notably, Chennai Super Kings are still fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive in IPL 2026. The clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad is a must-win game for the franchise, as they presently sit in sixth place on the table with 12 points from 12 matches so far.
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